Hyderabad: Hailstorms in Charlapally, Shamshabad, A.S. Rao Nagar and a few other places in the city gave a much-needed respite from the heat on Thursday. However, three persons were killed by lightening elsewhere in the state and crops were damaged.
Till Thursday afternoon, the maximum temperature recorded was 39.8ºC. However, heavy clouds formed after 3 pm. There was moderate rain and a stiff breeze, bringing temperatures down in other parts of the city.
Naveena Reddy, a resident of Prashanthnagar, A.S. Rao Nagar said, “This was the first rain since February, the hailstorm lasted only for 10 minutes, my children went outside and tried to catch some of it.
The hail was accompanied by moderate rain and a thunderstorm.” Areas like Jeedimetla and Chintal witnessed light rainfall on Thursday evening accompanied by strong winds.
The forecast for Friday is cloudy skies, light to moderate rain or thundershowers in some parts of the city. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 40 and 25ºC respectively. Following the hailstorm, the mayor asked the GHMC electricity wing to remain alert and attend to phone calls.
State
Isolated places in Telangana received rain on Thursday though there was not a big change in the maximum temperatures in the state. Temperatures were appreciably above normal at a few places. The highest maximum temperature of 42ºC was recorded in Nizamabad. There was also no large change in the minimum temperatures. The lowest minimum temperature of 23ºC was recorded in Hakimpet. Meanwhile, the hailstorm was not good news for farmers in rural areas who were already reeling under draught.
Two people died in Nalgonda after being struck by lightening while one person died in Mahabubnagar district. In Nalgonda district. Paddy, fruits and vegetable crops were damaged in Rajapet, Yadagirigutta, Marriguda, Bhongir, Chintapally and Chandur mandals.
In Karimnagar district, it hailed in Kalwa Srirampur, Shankarapatnam mandals damaging paddy, mango and vegetable crops. Farmers requested the government to come to their rescue by providing financial assistance.
